FACT: The self-employed may be able to deduct some of their health insurance premiums from taxes and the availability of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) offer more ways to save.

FACT: A study by Merrill Lynch and Harris Interactive found that 45% of Americans approaching retirement never plan to stop working completely.

FACT: A 2002 AARP study found that Americans over the age of 50 make up a disproportionate share of the self-employed workforce, about 40 percent compared to 25 percent of the overall workforce.

FACT: According to Merrill Lynch and Harris Interactive, Americans in their 40s and 50s expect to "retire" at age 61 but will continue to work until around age 70. During these 9 years, the ideal work arrangement is to "cycle" between periods of work and leisure (42%), Only 17% hope to never work for pay again.

FACT: USA Today reported the top-10 most popular franchising industries are: fast food, service, restaurants, building and construction, business services, retail, automotive, maintenance, food retail, and lodging.

FACT: According to Price Waterhouse Coopers, a new franchised business opens up in the United States every 8 minutes, with an average initial investment of $250,000.

FACT: According to Merrill Lynch and Harris Interactive, only 37% of the boomer generation indicated that earning money was an important reason to keep working. 67% thought challenge and mental stimulation would motivate them to continue to work. The same study found of boomers who plan to continue work, nearly two-thirds want to purse a different line of work.

FACT: The number of franchised business in the US has grown to 850,000 from 760,000 in the past six years according to an International Franchise Association report. The number of "franchise concepts" has grown to 2,500 from 900 in 3 years.

FACT: According to Price Waterhouse Coopers, 75 industries use franchising to distribute goods and services.